gASQL manual | ||
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Why plugins?
As gASQL can be connected to numerous DBMS, and as each DBMS has its own data types, it is very difficult (if not impossible) to write proper interface elements to enable the user to interact with data of any type. Some DBMS also allow the users to define their own data types such as complex numbers, ...
Moreover, data types may be used for special things which may require a special way of displaying (for example a field in a table may be of a 'string' type which usually is represented with a simple on line text entry, but in fact may represent a file name for a picture, in which case it would be better to display the picture rather than its name).
gASQL solves this problem by having a plugin system for data types: it is possible to design plugins for any data type (even user defined ones). Plugins are simple object files which are loaded separately from gASQL.
Plugins are loaded when gASQL starts and can be used at any time.
Defining plugins usage
Plugins usage is done using a single dialog window with three tabs: a summary tab, a data types tab, and a tab for individual objects.
Plugins bindings are kept in the file and are reloaded with the other information when a session is resumed.
Usage summary tab
This tab basically lists all the plugins, and tells if a plugin is used or not. From this tab it is also possbile to change the location of the plugins and refresh the display (though it should always be automatically kept up to date).
Data types tab
This tab allows for the 'binding' of a plugin to a data type. In that situation, every time a data of this data type needs to be displayed, modified, edited this plugin will be used.
Individual objects tab
This tab was made to provide a better control to how plugins are used, by allowing to bind a plugin to a single table's field (if there is already a different pluging binded to the data type of the selected field, this second binding overrides the first one). to the data type
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